Chapter 1538
Words:1033Update:22/08/27 01:59:58
Moreover, if there was a problem with the disaster relief, Chu Xuanchen would take the blame.
If the disaster relief was successful, Prince Xian would take some of his reputation.
He was also afraid that Chu Xuanchen would form cliques and build up power, so he sent Prince Xian to supervise him.
Thinking of this, he said, "Since The Emperor of Li and Prince Xian are willing to work for the country, I have an idea. I appoint you two as imperial envoys to go to Jiangnan together to help with the disaster relief. However, because The Emperor of Li has many military experiences, I appoint you as the chief imperial envoy and Prince Xian as the deputy imperial envoy to help you with the disaster relief. When the time comes, each of you will perform your own duties and help each other. I will give each of you an imperial sword to show that I am personally present. No matter if you are a prince, a marquis, or a civil or military official, if you dare to disobey, you can act first and report later. "
"This subject obeys." Chu Xuanchen and Prince Xian stepped forward to accept the order.
"Good. Since you two are already imperial envoys, have you thought of a good disaster relief method?" Emperor Hongyuan asked.
Prince Xian took the lead and said, "Your Majesty, this subject thinks that. First, Your Majesty should continue to sincerely pray to the heavens for the flood to stop. Second, you should spread benevolence and pardon the world, releasing some common criminals to show Your Majesty's benevolence. Third, you should raise funds for disaster relief. The imperial court should take the lead and guide the rich and powerful to donate. Officials and people should work together to help with disaster relief. "
"Yes, Prince Xian's method is feasible." Emperor Hongyuan nodded. "Then The Emperor of Li, what good plan do you have?"
Chu Xuanchen thought for a moment and said, "This subject thinks that the most important thing for disaster relief is to stabilize the people's hearts and let the people eat their fill. Only then can we proceed with the follow-up matters. First, we should distribute money and food. Second, we should exempt the people in the disaster area from corvee labor and taxes. Third, we should encourage the victims to help themselves. Fourth, we should organize the victims to build irrigation works to prevent another flood. Fifth, we should stabilize the food price. Sixth, we should pay attention to post-disaster prevention. Seventh, we should open public places like the imperial gardens and ponds to allow the hungry victims to hunt in the mountains and fill their stomachs. "
When Grand Tutor Han heard this, he immediately looked at Chu Xuanchen with appreciation.
His methods were all very practical; every one of them was for the sake of the country and the people; they were all good strategies.
Prince Xian wasn't bad either, but he was too superficial, too focused on the reputation of the royal family, and too focused on winning the hearts of the people. He wasn't as practical as The Emperor of Li.
Hearing Chu Xuanchen's words, Hongyuan Emperor couldn't help but nod.
Chu Xuanchen was truly a talent. It was a pity that he was the son of the previous emperor.
He said, "Good, we feel that both of your disaster relief strategies are very good. For this disaster relief, the imperial court would take the lead in allocating disaster relief funds. Minister Yun, can you calculate how much money we will need for this disaster relief trip? "Hongyuan Emperor asked.
Yun Qing thought for a moment and said, "Reporting to your majesty, this subject and the Minister of Revenue have calculated that the flood in Jiangnan is extremely serious. I'm afraid we'll need at least two million taels of silver."
"Two million!" When the ministers heard this number, they all shook their heads.
This was too much. Could it be that all the money was coming from the national treasury?
I'm afraid the emperor isn't willing.
However, they also knew that the royal family's disaster relief was mostly for show.
The world was so big, and the national treasury was not full. The people were lacking in food, and there were disasters everywhere. How could the emperor manage them?
The most important thing for the people was to rely on themselves. Disaster relief was only a means for the emperor to stabilize the people's hearts.
As for whether they could be saved or not, they would have to rely on the people themselves.
"Two million taels of silver?" Hongyuan Emperor asked again.
"Two million taels of silver is still an underestimate. If we really want to save all the victims, two million taels of silver is not enough." Yun Qing added.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
